If I had to do things over again, I would have taken two checked bags. That would have been less stressful, especially packing on the way home. My bag was stretched to the max, and they gave us stuff to bring back. It worked out okay, but it would have been better.
Things I did right: ending up taking a larger carry on bag. The dogs really did me a favor in a way by tearing up my leather bag. The microfiber Ameribag I took is a large, and works better on a trip, though doesn’t look as good.
The last thing I should have done better was to put the insulin in the carry on bag. Though the dogs would have torn up the plastic bag, I would have remembered to bring it, and would not have had to come back.
Well, and I should have put the carry on bag up higher in the first place, then I would have had time to get breakfast and would have remember the insulin.
Also, getting the travel cubes was a really good idea. They kept things organized throughout the trip, and much eadier to deal with.